In a recent conversation, a friend raved about a movie she’d seen. “I laughed the whole way through. You will love it,” she said. But I didn’t. The experience was like reading the list of Academy Award nominations, rushing to watch an acclaimed movie…

As summer ends and kids head back to school, I remember the days when I’d prepare for my new grade. I loved covering my textbooks with brown paper, organizing my pencil case, arranging outfit combinations, and labeling my folders and notebooks….

“If you learn one thing, it was worth your time.” Many decades ago, a college professor repeated that mantra over and over during the semester. She preached to our class of seniors, all of whom thought we were ready to set the world on fire, that if we…

During the summer months, we hear lots of chatter about “beach reads.” Those light, uncomplicated books where we skip through the pages. We don’t have to work hard to focus on characters and plot lines. Sometimes, that’s exactly the type of book…

or the past decade, I’ve had a front-row seat to the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s. The neurodegenerative disease has wreaked havoc on my mother-in-law. And those who love her. According to neuroscientist Dr. Jeanette Norden, Alzheimer’s…

Still Alice, published in 2007, was a tough book for me to read. My dear mother-in-law suffered from Alzheimer’s, and the novel hit way too close to home. As I muddled through the touching story, a combination of neurological facts…

So many books, so little time! How I wish I could read every single book that appeals to me. How do we pick and choose? Here is a smattering of books I’ve enjoyed in the last few weeks. One non-fiction, an Australian mystery, a historical fiction novel…

When I wake up in the morning, I’m beginning to feel hope. I’m making plans, I got my second vaccine, and I see life revving back up again. And I’m thrilled about that. We may read less now that days are heading towards normal – or the new normal…

Like everyone else, I’m eager to pack a bag and escape. I dream of travels to a sandy beach or a windswept island or a city with winding streets to wander. Even though I must wait to visit relatives, attend a wedding, and cheer on a baseball team…

My walking buddy and I meet every Tuesday for our weekly dose of sanity. We power walk through a neighborhood or a park, catch up with our lives, and solve the problems of the world – and those of other people too…